900 Engines Stolen from Kia Factory in India Over 5 Years
• Some 900 engines were stolen systematically and gradually over a five-year period from a Kia factory in India.
Amid the sombre news and chaos of recent weeks in the automotive industry, here’s something a little… different. Police in India are investigating after it was discovered that some 900 engines were stolen from a Kia factory over a period of five years.
Not smaller parts that could be easier to smuggle, but entire engines.
Authorities believe the engines weren’t stolen all at once, during an isolated operation. Rather, as The Economic Times reports, thefts took place over a period of five years. Incredibly, it was only discovered this year, at the end of March, during an audit of the company's accounts and accounting records.
Police say the theft appears to have been the result of coordinated planning between certain Kia employees, both current and former. “The preliminary investigation shows that the engines were stolen gradually and in a planned manner. It is certain that insiders are involved. We suspect collusion between former and current employees,” said the Deputy Commissioner of Police for the city of Penukonda.
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